A company that want to build a mini retail park on empty land at Hawley Road have resubmitted a planning application after their last application was pulled from the agenda.

The application, which is identical to the first one, looks to build three retail units in between Lidl and Tesco.

Councillors agreed to pull that last application from the planning agenda at the twelfth hour in order to “discuss possible controls relating to end users of the site with the applicant.”

It was recommended for refusal because planners though it could have a negative impact on the crescent development.

Applicants Westmoreland Investments, part of the Charles Street Buildings Group, who own the land, said they did not want to put controls on the prospective tenants - who are Poundstretcher and Pets at Home.

Both stores send letters to the council saying they would not be interested in setting up at the crescent.

Westmoreland Investments have now lodged an appeal against the council for the non-determination of the first application as well as putting in the fresh proposal.

Joseph Murphy, director at Westmoreland Investments, said commercially unacceptable to us and to retailers, as it would impair the economic viability of the development and restrict retailers’ ability to assign or sublet.

He said the company would be investing several million pounds into the scheme, which would create around 70 new jobs.

He said: “We have no contact from the council about meeting to discuss the plans.

“The council needs to look at this in terms of planning policy rather than their own financial needs.

“We are at a loss as to why this isn’t being supported when it is creating jobs in the area.

“The council have also asked for the appeal to be delayed but it will be going ahead.”

The proposal includes a 10,025 sq ft retail building, one 7,010 sq ft retail building and one 7,523 sq ft retail building with landscaping, three cycle stands and a car park with 135 spaces, of which seven are disabled spaces.

The main vehicular and pedestrian access would be via the Tesco entrance from Hawley Road.

Ward councillor and leader of the council, Stuart Bray (Lib Dem, Hinckley Castle) said: “I think it is an ideal site and I think there is room for this scheme. I have obvious concerns about the traffic in that area - we are still waiting to hear what the county council are going to be doing about the junction outside the Hinckley Hub.

“I am in favour of the development but the road needs to be sorted.

“As a retail scheme it needs to compliment what is there and what is coming. I wanted to get both sets of developers around the table to bring both schemes forward successfully. I think with a bit of common sense it could be successful.

“Both sides are being a bit bloody minded and Westmoreland are playing tactics on the appeal. They just need to engage properly.

“I think they should withdraw the appeal because it will cost them more than the tax payer and get around the table and discuss a way of taking this forward.”

A spokesman from the borough council said: “Officers suggested the developer discuss the application further in an attempt to find a mutually acceptable solution before going to appeal, not least because an appeal will take some months to be heard and will result in a delay for the developer that could be avoided if a solution is found.

“The developer’s agent declined to discuss the matter any further with officers.

“The Crescent development scheme is a strategic priority for the council, intended to regenerate Hinckley town centre for the benefit of all residents. Regrettably, the applicant is not willing to agree to any temporary mechanism for controlling the end-users of the Hawley Road retail units.

Without this safeguard in place, the council believes the scheme has the potential to have a significantly adverse impact on investment in The Crescent scheme.”